Category Archives: Fundamental Theology

“That Which Saves is Unity”

Posted on June 4, 2011 by Deacon Bob

In today’s Office of Readings we are given a selection on the Canticle of Canticles written by St. Gregory of Nyssa, one of the Fathers of the Eastern Church. It is a wonderful reflection on the gift of unity that … Continue reading →

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From the Ancient Catechism of Jerusalem

Posted on April 28, 2011 by Deacon Bob

There is an ancient Christian text called the Catechism of Jerusalem, a selection of which was given for today’s Office of Readings. It has a teaching about baptism that is worth our attention and thought today. My English translation of … Continue reading →

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The Resurrection — Who Will Rise? How? Why?

Posted on April 26, 2011 by Deacon Bob

As we continue to rejoice in our Lord’s resurrection during this Octave of Easter, a question no doubt surfaces for all of us, “Who will rise?” The answer is, “All the dead will rise.” Yes, all the dead one day … Continue reading →

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Blood and Water

Posted on April 22, 2011 by Deacon Bob

From the side of Jesus on the cross flowed blood and water. St. John Chrysostom admonishes us to not pass over this aspect of Golgotha without stopping and meditating on it. Blood and water…. Chrysostom said in his Catechesis (my … Continue reading →

Posted in Christology, Dogmatic Theology, Prayer and Meditation | 1 Comment

“Steering the Right Course…”

Posted on April 16, 2011 by Deacon Bob

I read today in Deacon DIgest an article written by Deacon Joseph Donadieu from the diocese of Trenton, New Jersey, entitled, “Steering the Right Course with God’s Truth.” In it, he writes about moral relativism. As you may already know, … Continue reading →

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Moral Relativism and Spread of Satanism

Posted on April 12, 2011 by Deacon Bob

I read with interest this morning a newsreport of the Catholic News Agency on moral relativism and the rise of Satanism. Carlo Climati, the press director of the Regina Apostolorum Pontifical University in Rome told the Catholic News Agency (CNA) … Continue reading →

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St. Maximus, Confessor on Mercy and Redemption

Posted on April 6, 2011 by Deacon Bob

The Office of Readings today gives us a selection from St. Maximus, confessor, on the mercy of God and reconciliation. I won’t translate it all from the Italian, but do want to offer this paragraph for your reflection today. “All … Continue reading →

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Quote for the Day

Posted on March 14, 2011 by Deacon Bob

(From today’s Office of Readings – my translation of the Italian text I used.) “Even more, recall that you have become a son of God, co-heir with Christ and, to use a bold image, you are the same God.” – … Continue reading →

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Hear Ye, Deacons of the World! The Task of Evangelization

Posted on February 19, 2011 by Deacon Bob

The Holy Father’s address on February 18 to the Filipino bishops making their ad limina visit contained the following comment: When self-sufficiency and freedom are severed from their dependence upon and completion in God, the human person creates for himself … Continue reading →

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The Wisdom of God

Posted on February 15, 2011 by Deacon Bob

In today’s Office of Readings, St. Anthanasius offers a beautiful reflection on the Wisdom of God. I just love St. Anthansius, and his theology! Always so rich in imagery and deep in his understanding of Christ. Here is a snippet … Continue reading →

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Reflection for the Day

Posted on December 23, 2010 by Deacon Bob

I received this from an college friend of mine, who happens to be my insurance agent now. I believe he read it in the pope’s encyclical, Evangelium Vitae. “Man is called to a fullness of life which far exceeds the … Continue reading →

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The Immaculate Conception

Posted on December 8, 2010 by Deacon Bob

There is a wonderful reflection on the role of the Blessed Virgin Mary today in the Office of Readings. It is written by St. Anselm, and I provide here an English excerpt translated from the Italian text I use. “God … Continue reading →

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Cremation and the Communion of the Saints

Posted on November 24, 2010 by Deacon Bob

Many more Catholics are choosing cremation over traditional burial. For centuries, the Church forbade cremation for it was, in those times, a sign of denial of the central belief in the resurrection of the body. Nowadays, almost all Catholics who … Continue reading →

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St. John Eudes on the Mysteries of Christ and the Church

Posted on November 19, 2010 by Deacon Bob

Today’s Office of Readings includes a tract from St. John Eudes regarding the mysteries of Christ as lived in our lives and the life of the Church. I am transcribing it here for you to read. It is a wonderful … Continue reading →

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The Two Kinds of Faith

Posted on November 3, 2010 by Deacon Bob

In today’s Office of Readings, St. Cyril of Jerusalem talked about the two kinds of faith. His thoughts are drawn from his catechism, (Catech. 5). He talks of the fundamental necessity of a faith that gives intellectual assent to revealed … Continue reading →

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Do You Believe in Benevolence?

Posted on October 25, 2010 by Deacon Bob

In working with patients in the clinic, especially those who have experienced traumatic events in their lives, I discover that many have a difficult time  believing in the benevolence of others. On a certain level, this is quite understandable given … Continue reading →

Posted in Fundamental Theology | 1 Comment

Take It Up With God

Posted on September 6, 2010 by Deacon Bob

The pastor of the parish cluster to which I am assigned made the comment in the middle of his homily last Saturday that has just stayed with me since. I am pretty sure this wasn’t the line he was centering … Continue reading →

Posted in Fundamental Theology, General Interest | 1 Comment

Duties, Limitations and Freedom

Posted on August 18, 2010 by Deacon Bob

So many of us consider duty to be limiting and reducing our personal freedom. This comes from the commonly accepted notion that to be free one needs to do what one wants. Freedom to do what one wants is a … Continue reading →

Posted in Fundamental Theology, Papa Luciani (Pope John Paul I) | Leave a comment

Modern Day Idolatry

Posted on August 9, 2010 by Deacon Bob

The word idolatry is one of those old sounding words often relegated to the archives of history. Many of us don’t associate idolatry with contemporary culture, thinking of it as something of the past, kind of “Old Testament stuff.” I … Continue reading →

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The Trinitarian Experience in Christian Life

Posted on August 1, 2010 by Deacon Bob

Perhaps most characteristic of Christianity is the doctrine of the Trinity: God is one, yet three Persons – Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Of course, the center of our Christian experience is Jesus Christ, the Son of God and the … Continue reading →

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